Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure energy firms exhaust all other options before forcibly installing prepayment metres in homes.

The Department is working with Ofgem to ensure that they take a more robust approach to the protection of vulnerable customers, and make sure energy suppliers are complying with the rules.

Ofgem has now asked suppliers to pause the installation of prepayment meters under warrant until they have assured Ofgem they are compliant with all relevant regulations and obligations.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State has asked domestic energy suppliers to report back on the steps they have planned to identify customers who may have had a prepayment meter installed inappropriately, and confirm that appropriate action will be taken in these instances.